Teenage pregnancies fall — but ministers fail to meet target

Ministers were criticised today over their failure to achieve a steeper fall in teenage pregnancies after new figures showed a four per cent drop.

The figures, from the Office for National Statistics, show 41,325 women under 18 fell pregnant in 2008, compared with 42,988 in 2007. Almost half went on to have abortions.

The statistics also reveal that 40.6 out of every 1,000 girls aged 15 to 17 become pregnant. That means a Government pledge from 1998 to halve the rate, which then stood at 46.6, within 10 years will be missed.

Critics claimed the failure was the result of an excessive emphasis on sex education in schools and the provision of contraceptives to pupils.

But Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo defended the Government's record and insisted that significant progress was being made.

"Teenage pregnancy is no longer a rising problem," she said. "It is important we recognise progress made in driving down teen pregnancy rates.

"Over the last 10 years, information, advice and support for young people about sex and contraception has significantly improved and access to free contraception is easier than ever."

Ms Primarolo said further measures to cut teenage pregnancies would be introduced, adding: "We remain fully committed to ensuring every young person has access to the information and support they need.

"This is not just about government, however. Parents have a vital role to play in providing information and advice on sex and relationships."

But Norman Wells, the director of the Family Education Trust, said the Government's approach was a "disaster" that was failing young people.

"With all its emphasis on sex education and handing out contraceptives to schoolchildren under the age of consent, it is giving them the green light to experiment sexually."

Other figures published today show that the pregnancy rate among under-16s in England fell by almost 6 per cent between 2007 and 2008, from 8.3 to 7.8 per 1,000 girls.

The North-East had the highest under-18 conception rate, at 49 per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 17, while the East of England had the lowest rate, at 31.4 per 1,000.

Gill Frances, the chairwoman of the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group, said she was pleased the figures were back on a downward trend after a slight rise in the 2007 data.

"This is the lowest rate for 20 years and reflects the work going on around the country," she added.

"Reduction in teenage pregnancies depends on local authorities and primary care trusts, and we encourage them to press on."